Microsoft launches voluntary exit programme for employees in India, US, UK and Canada
Microsoft announced a voluntary exit programme offering severance and transition support to eligible staff in four countries, with up to 60,000 employees globally potentially participating.
Microsoft said on Monday that it will roll out a voluntary exit programme for eligible employees in India, the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. The initiative, described in a blog post by Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Amy Coleman, targets staff at level 70 and below in participating teams and will remain open until Dec. 1 for those in India.
Eligible workers will receive emails outlining the terms, which include a severance package of one month’s base salary for each year of service, continued health insurance and career transition assistance. Coleman said the offer provides a “new choice” for employees considering a move outside the company while allowing business units to adjust workforce needs.
Microsoft did not specify how many of its roughly 23,000 Indian staff are eligible, but said the programme could cover around 60,000 employees worldwide. The company emphasized that participation will vary by business priorities, customer commitments and workforce requirements.
A Microsoft spokesperson added that the firm continues to invest in India’s talent and technology ecosystem, committing $20.5 billion to cloud and AI infrastructure, skilling and operations between 2025 and 2029, and aims to equip 20 million people in India with AI skills by 2030.